Randolph another challenge for Spurs, McDyess

One year after getting the most challenging defensive assignment of the Spurs’ first-round playoff series against the Mavericks, Spurs center Antonio McDyess has been assigned the biggest challenge of the first-round series against the Grizzlies.

A year ago he had to check Dallas’ high-scoring Dirk Nowitzki, a slick scorer with a deft touch.

This time, he will match up against Memphis’ Zach Randolph, a rugged rebounder who overpowers foes.

McDyess is a versatile defender, but the matchups are starkly dissimilar.

“It’s totally different,” McDyess said. “Dirk is more about finesse. Zach is much more physical in the paint.”

As resilient as the Grizzlies have been this season, surviving the loss of high-scoring forward Rudy Gay after 54 games, they understand they would not be in the playoffs at all without Randolph, a legitimate All-NBA candidate. The power forward averaged 20.1 points and 12.2 rebounds, both team highs.

His numbers against the Spurs were more dominant: 23.0 points and 14.8 rebounds.

“He’s fantastic,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popo?vich. “He’s just got that natural inclination on the boards and a great touch. It’s something you can’t coach. He’s just got that.

“With his combination of touch and rebounding acumen, he might be the best in the league at it. He’s just a bear to handle.”

At 6-foot-9 and 253 pounds, Randolph has the bulk required to be a great rebounder, though he is not the most athletic big man.

His knack for finding every ball and an intense desire to get every missed shot atone for any physical limitations.

“It’s just want-to, just a tenaciousness that he has,” said Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins. “You look at all the great rebounders and they either had great athleticism or they had an understanding of where the ball was coming off and then the will to go get the ball.”

A former assistant for the Suns, Hollins said his time in Phoenix taught him a lesson about great rebounders.

“There used to be a line about A.C. Green and Charles Barkley,” he said. “It said: A.C. Green went after every rebound and Charles got every rebound he went after.

“That’s what it’s all about: Wanting to go get them, and then when you want to go get them, you get them.”

Randolph expects a physical battle with McDyess, a veteran whose strength and athleticism he respects.

“McDyess is a great player,” he said. “He’s a veteran player who shoots the ball real well. He’s a great defensive player and real strong. It’s going to be a tough matchup.”

The series also figures to be very physical. McDyess was thrilled to see two off days scheduled in between both Games 1 and 2 and Games 2 and 3.

“It definitely helps us old guys rejuvenate and get our legs back under us in time for the next one.

“Zach, you always have to be aware of him. He’s got a strong duck-in game. When the guard is driving he’ll catch you off-guard and put his body on you.